Leonard closed with a 2-over 73 for a 14-under 270 total, a stroke ahead of Heath Slocum and two in front of Phil Mickelson. Slocum had a 70 and Mickelson a 71.

But it wouldn't be Harbour Town for Leonard -- he hadn't never finished higher than 30th here in six appearances -- without some stomach-churning holes.

Leonard's fortunes at Harbour Town Golf Links looked to have changed for good as he set a 54-hole scoring record this week with rounds of 67, 64 and 66. And when playing partner Cameron Beckman double-bogeyed the par-4 third Sunday, Leonard was ahead by four shots on the field.

However, the birdies that were so plentiful through Saturday would not come to Leonard in the final round as he struggled to win his seventh PGA title. He had 12 straight pars, some from amazing distances, to remain out front.